Running the Goodridge to Grygla I-500?

[JoeRainville]

Hi Guys,

Once again "Vintage I-500" time has come around. This years race nearly didn't happen, as the USXC was planning to cancel the I-500 until the local clubs and volunteers stepped up. The year the race will be two days from Saturday February 9th to Sunday the 10th running in loops outside of TRF.

The vintage class will be running on Saturday, Feb 9th, and the route maps are published on http://www.usxcracing.com

In a short recap of last year, Adam and I built a real Liquidator out of a very rough chassis and loose motor parts because as Adam said: "you need to do this". The sled came out looking great, especially considering what we started from, but it was basically untested and the calibration was not spot on.

On the positive side, the sled handled and rode well, and it was a fun 10 miles until she quit on the river. In an ironic twist, I let Adam run my old Liquifire as punishment for building my Dator, and he finished with it. Go figure.

[JoeRainville]

After completing the 150 mile vintage challenge, Adam had me return the sled to his shop where a full post mortem could be performed. Due to a slight scuff on a cylinder wall we had them nicasiled over the iron bore, new pistons coated and installed, and everything re-checked.

To make sure timing and fuel were on, I flew up to NY so we could dyno the beast at Dynotech in Batavia, NY. This was an excellent experience working with Jim Czekala and his instrumentation. Unfortunately we found the Aaen pipes did not help with the power, but were able to make adjustments to gain some of it back. The important part was that we were able to dial in jetting and ignition curves so the motor ran strong while we monitored the air/fuel ratio and listed for knock.

This will help take a lot of guess work out of clutching the sled knowing where the power peak is for this engine. So with some suspension, motor and clutching updates, we are going to line the Dator up at the I-500 for attempt #2 with this sled. Adam should be racing something too.

Anyone else planning to be there, either to race, watch or crew?
-Joe Rainville #621

[JoeRainville]

I would also like to mentions without all the guys reproducing parts on this page, there would be no way to take the heap like we started with and build a sled out of it. I have many guys and a few companies to be thankful for:

Kenny "Gumpy" Hiens: CC handlebars, 78 rear grab bar, 340/s style snowflap, airbox kit, etc.
Brock Weber: Wiring harness, suspension pieces, head nuts, paint codes, Chaincase gaskets, advice, etc
Larry Houge: Wiseco Pistons
Matt Spiece: Plastic Ski Kit, crank seal kits, tons of other misc parts
Joe Wanie: Recoil handle, ski spring slides, ski kit
Don Amber: Ski spindle hardware kits, repop radiator support
John's Upholstery: All new extra thick seat
Aaen: Reproduction exhaust system
Chuck Moser: Decals
Cometic: Engine Gaskets
Hewtech: Rewound Stator and CDI
Matt Gabler: Motor plate and exhaust brackets - new for this year!

And not to mention my race mechanic Adam Leubner for "inspiring" me to do this in the first place and of course the volunteer crew of Todd Shrupp and Dustin Erickson, who may someday again see me in a gas stop.

Of course I also used one of my repop hoods and windshields, so this sled was very heavy in reproduction parts while still remaining true to the character of a Liquidator. Again, thank you all for helping me do something very crazy, but stupid fun.

Later Liquidator,
"John Deere Joe" Rainville

[sledhead16]

So.....What specs did the dator put out on paper ?

[JDT]

Count me in Joe.

[JDXspec]

i will be there again also joe. Hopefully waiting on the finish line, not the bridge over the river!

[JoeRainville]

Allen,

"Ask no secrets, I tell no lies"... unfortunately, I wasn't able to run the motor with the full stock exhaust so I don't have a great baseline. I can say that according to some ETD mechanics, brand new motors were anywhere from the mid-50's to low 60's. The search is on for original dyno sheets. I am in that ballpark

Todd and Dustin, glad to have you two join us again and thank you. I believe Adam has two rooms reserved already. We should get Dustin Elder to join us so our awesome volunteer crew sounds like a 70's Country Band: "St. Rupp and the Dustins"

And I goofed: the race is FRIDAY Feb. 8th. I am correcting the original post to fix the error. Adam wants me there two days early for testing and tuning...I will try as RMT is real.

Thanks guys, and hope to see more Deere sleds there. Any news on Wade, Gabler, etc?

-Joe

[BU1]

Joe, USXC website shows the race on Feb 9-10. Saturday and Sunday. You might get there a day early!!!

[WinnipegStPaul9]

BU1, that's the first time I've ever seen "Joe" and "early" used in the same paragraph.

DA

[JoeRainville]

I need to start drinking again so I can sober up...I think I was looking at a 2018 calendar or something.

So yes, to confirm: WE ARE RACING ON SATURDAY, FEB 9TH!

Joe, "Can't fool me" Rainville